In the United States, wedding rings are traditionally worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. This tradition originated in Ancient Rome with the belief that there was a vein of love, orvena amoris, which ran from the left ring finger directly to the heart. Placing a wedding ring on that finger was considered the best way to symbolize love, romance and commitment. Some countries and cultures have the opposite tradition, wearing wedding rings on the right hand instead. Other people prefer the right hand due to lifestyle requirements, disabilities or simply because they find it to be more comfortable.

Wedding rings are typically worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, with the wedding band closest to the wearer and the engagement ring on the outside or toward the tip of the finger. The idea is that the wedding band, which represents the actual marriage, should be closest to your heart. Some people choose to buck tradition, wearing their engagement ring through their wedding ceremony and leaving their new wedding band in the outer position.

According to tradition, the groom buys the bride her wedding ring and vice versa. This approach makes it easier to get a good deal on a bridal set, which also ensures the engagement ring and bride’s wedding band match, though it’s certainly possible to purchase pieces of a set separately. Modern couples may decide to buy their wedding bands together, as a joint purchase. It’s a good idea to incorporate the cost of wedding rings into the overall wedding budget and share the expenses as you see fit.

Wedding bands are rings used to symbolize marriage. The ritual of exchanging rings as part of a wedding ceremony dates back as far as 4000 BC, when couples in Egypt wore wedding jewelry made from leather, bone, reeds and other simple materials. Unlike engagement rings, which often feature one or more gemstones, today’s wedding bands are often plain metal, though they may include smaller gems or other unique details. Engagement rings are presented prior to a wedding to represent the promise of marriage, while wedding bands are exchanged during the wedding ceremony, typically as part of the vows or directly after the vows are spoken.

The average cost of a wedding ring is about $510 for men and around $1,100 for women, but these numbers can vary wildly depending on what materials are used to make the ring. For example, gold is more expensive than sterling silver, but platinum is pricier than both silver and gold. The price tag also takes into account the amount of metal used and, if the ring includes gemstones, the size and quality of those stones.

Experts recommend shopping for wedding bands at least three or four months before the wedding. That way you’ll have plenty of time to have the rings resized (if necessary) while lessening the risk you’ll find yourself without rings for the actual ceremony. Designing your own rings and other customization options like engraving also take more time, so consider those extras when writing out your pre-wedding checklist.

Your wedding band is one of the most meaningful purchases you’ll ever make. Shop with Allurez and you know you’re getting a genuine, high-quality product at a great value. We also offer incredible customer service, talented jewelry designers to help you with DIY designs, and even free shipping to help you minimize extra expenses. There’s even a 30-day return policy so you can have full confidence in your purchase and fall in love with it in person with zero stress or pressure.

There are several ways to buy a wedding ring. The first is to shop for one that matches your or your soon-to-be spouse’s engagement ring. In that case, you’ll need to narrow your search to the metal, style and size that best fits the ring you already have. If you don’t have an engagement ring yet or aren’t planning on purchasing one, you have the freedom to look at hundreds of Allurez bands in every style imaginable. Consider which metal you prefer, whether you want a plain band or one with embellishments like hand engraving or gemstones and if you want you and your sweetheart’s wedding bands to complement each other. Lastly, always buy your wedding rings from a trusted jeweler with the track record, reviews and certification to back up your purchase.